Methods and apparatuses for use in providing navigation assistance data to mobile stations

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses are provided which may be implemented in various devices to provide navigation assistance data and/or the like to a mobile station with regard to at least one of a plurality of different indoor regions. For example, a computing platform of a map inference device may establish encoded metadata for at least a portion of an indoor region based, at least in part, on an electronic map, an access point locator, or some combination thereof, and provide such encoded metadata to a repository device that may provide at least a portion of the encoded metadata to a mobile station.

This patent application is a Continuation patent application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/338,287, filed Jul. 22, 2014, titled,“METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR USE IN PROVIDING NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE DATATO MOBILE STATIONS”, which is a Divisional patent application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/187,405, filed Jul. 20, 2011, titled,“METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR USE IN PROVIDING NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE DATATO MOBILE STATIONS”, which claims benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/369,548, filed Jul. 30, 2010, titled,“MOBILE-SERVER ARCHITECTURE OPTIONS”, and also U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/367,340, filed Jul. 23, 2010, titled, “INDOOR POSITIONINGSERVER ARCHITECTURE”, each of which is assigned to the assignee hereof,and each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electronic devices, andmore particularly to methods and apparatuses for use in various devicescomprising computing platforms and/or mobile stations to providenavigation assistance data and/or the like to a mobile station withregard to at least one of a plurality of different indoor regions.

2. Information

The Global Positioning System (GPS) represents one type of GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS), which along with other types ofsatellite positioning systems (SPS) provide or otherwise supportsignal-based position location capabilities (e.g., navigation functions)in mobile stations, and particularly in outdoor environments. However,since some satellite signals may not be reliably received and/oracquired by a mobile station within an indoor environment or other likemixed indoor/outdoor environments, different techniques may be employedto enable position location services.

For example, mobile stations may attempt to obtain a position fix bymeasuring ranges to three or more terrestrial transmitters (e.g.,wireless access points, beacons, cell towers, etc.) which are positionedat known locations. Such ranges may be measured, for example, byobtaining a MAC ID address from signals received from such transmittersand obtaining range measurements to the transmitters by measuring one ormore characteristics of signals received from such transmitters such as,for example, signal strength, a round trip delay time, etc.

These and other like position location and navigation techniques tend tobe of further benefit to a user if presented with certain mappedfeatures. For example, mapped features may relate to or otherwiseidentify certain physical objects, characteristics, or points ofinterest within a building or complex, etc. Thus, in certain instances,an indoor navigation system may provide a digital electronic map to amobile station upon entering a particular indoor area, e.g., in responseto a request for navigation assistance data. Such a map may show indoorfeatures such as doors, hallways, entry ways, walls, etc., points ofinterest such as bathrooms, pay phones, room names, stores, etc. Such adigital electronic map may be stored at a server to be accessible by amobile station through selection of a URL, for example. By obtaining anddisplaying such a map, a mobile station may overlay a current locationof the mobile station (and user) over the displayed map to provide theuser with additional context.

In certain instances, some of the information that may be provided toand/or otherwise used by a mobile station for navigational or other likepurposes may have significant value, e.g., the information may compriseintellectual property or otherwise relate to a proprietary capability,etc. In some instances, some information may be confidential orotherwise relate to some aspect wherein privacy or secrecy may bedesired. Thus, it may be useful to not only provide such information inan efficient manner, but to also carefully control the dissemination ofsuch information as it is transmitted, stored, and/or processed by thevarious devices and communications resources.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatuses are provided by way of example which may beimplemented in various devices to provide navigation assistance dataand/or the like to a mobile station with regard to at least one of aplurality of different indoor regions.

In accordance with certain example implementations, a method may beimplemented at one or more computing platforms of a map inferencedevice. Such a method may comprise: obtaining, for at least a portion ofat least one indoor region, at least one of: an electronic map or anaccess point locator; establishing encoded metadata for at least theportion of the at least one indoor region based, at least in part, on atleast one of: the electronic map or the access point locator; andtransmitting the encoded metadata to a repository device, the repositorydevice to provide at least a portion of the encoded metadata to a mobilestation in response to a request for navigation assistance data receivedfrom the mobile station.

In accordance with certain example implementations, an apparatus may beimplemented for use at a map inference device, such an apparatus maycomprise: means for obtaining, for at least a portion of at least oneindoor region, at least one of: an electronic map or an access pointlocator; means for establishing encoded metadata for at least theportion of the at least one indoor region based, at least in part, on atleast one of: the electronic map or the access point locator; and meansfor transmitting the encoded metadata to a repository device, therepository device to provide at least a portion of the encoded metadatato a mobile station in response to a request for navigation assistancedata received from the mobile station.

In accordance with certain example implementations, one or morecomputing platforms may be provided for use at a map inference devicewhich comprises: at least one network interface; and at least oneprocessing unit to: obtain via the network interface, for at least aportion of at least one indoor region, at least one of: an electronicmap or an access point locator; establish encoded metadata for at leastthe portion of the at least one indoor region based, at least in part,on at least one of: the electronic map or the access point locator; andinitiate transmission of the encoded metadata via the network interfacesto a repository device, the repository device to provide at least aportion of the encoded metadata to a mobile station in response to arequest for navigation assistance data received from the mobile station.

In accordance with certain example implementations, an article ofmanufacture may be provided which comprises at least one non-transitorycomputer readable medium having stored therein computer implementableinstructions that are executable by a processing unit in an inferencedevice to: obtain, for at least a portion of at least one indoor region,at least one of: an electronic map or an access point locator; establishencoded metadata for at least the portion of the at least one indoorregion based, at least in part, on at least one of: the electronic mapor the access point locator; and initiate transmission of the encodedmetadata to a repository device, the repository device to provide atleast a portion of the encoded metadata to a mobile station in responseto a request for navigation assistance data received from the mobilestation.

In accordance with certain example implementations, a method may beimplemented at a directory device which comprises: obtaining, for atleast a portion of at least one indoor region, at least one of: anelectronic map or an access point locator; establishing encoded metadatafor at least the portion of the at least one indoor region based, atleast in part, on at least one of: the electronic map or the accesspoint locator; transmitting the encoded metadata to a repository device;receiving a request for a repository device identifier from a mobilestation, the request for the repository device identifier beingindicative of at least a first estimated location of the mobile station;and in response to determining that the first estimated locationcorresponds to the at least the portion of the at least one indoorregion, transmitting a repository device identifier for the repositorydevice to the mobile station.

In accordance with certain example implementations, an apparatus may beprovided for use in a directory device, such an apparatus may comprise:means for obtaining, for at least a portion of at least one indoorregion, at least one of: an electronic map or an access point locator;means for establishing encoded metadata for at least the portion of theat least one indoor region based, at least in part, on at least one of:the electronic map or the access point locator; means for transmittingthe encoded metadata to a repository device; means for receiving arequest for a repository device identifier from a mobile station, therequest for the repository device identifier being indicative of atleast a first estimated location of the mobile station; and means fortransmitting a repository device identifier for the repository device tothe mobile station, in response to a determination that the firstestimated location corresponds to the at least the portion of the atleast one indoor region.

In accordance with certain example implementations, at least onecomputing platform may be implanted at a directory device whichcomprises: a network interface; and a processing unit to: obtain via thenetwork interface, for at least a portion of at least one indoor region,at least one of: an electronic map or an access point locator; establishencoded metadata for at least the portion of the at least one indoorregion based, at least in part, on at least one of: the electronic mapor the access point locator; initiate transmission of the encodedmetadata to a repository device via the network interface; obtain arequest for a repository device identifier from a mobile station via thenetwork interface, the request for the repository device identifierbeing indicative of at least a first estimated location of the mobilestation; and in response to a determination that the first estimatedlocation corresponds to the at least the portion of the at least oneindoor region, initiate transmission of a repository device identifierfor the repository device to the mobile station via the networkinterface.

In accordance with certain example implementations, an article ofmanufacture may be provided which comprises at least one non-transitorycomputer readable medium having stored therein computer implementableinstructions that are executable by a processing unit in a directorydevice to: obtain, for at least a portion of at least one indoor region,at least one of: an electronic map or an access point locator; establishencoded metadata for at least the portion of the at least one indoorregion based, at least in part, on at least one of: the electronic mapor the access point locator; initiate transmission of the encodedmetadata to a repository device via the network interface; obtain arequest for a repository device identifier from a mobile station, therequest for the repository device identifier being indicative of atleast a first estimated location of the mobile station; and initiatetransmission of a repository device identifier for the repository deviceto the mobile station, in response to a determination that the firstestimated location corresponds to the at least the portion of the atleast one indoor region.

In accordance with certain example implementations, a method may beimplemented at a repository device, which comprises: obtaining encodedmetadata for at least a portion of at least one indoor regioncorresponding to at least one of an electronic map or an access pointlocator; receiving a request for navigation assistance data for at leastone indoor region from a mobile station; and transmitting at least aportion of the navigation assistance data to the mobile station, thenavigation assistance data comprising, at least in part, the encodedmetadata and at least a portion of at least one of: the electronic mapor the access point locator corresponding to the encoded metadata.

In accordance with certain example implementations, an apparatus may beprovided for use in a repository device, comprising: means for obtainingencoded metadata for at least a portion of at least one indoor regioncorresponding to at least one of an electronic map or an access pointlocator; means for receiving a request for navigation assistance datafor at least one indoor region from a mobile station; and means fortransmitting at least a portion of the navigation assistance data to themobile station, the navigation assistance data comprising, at least inpart, the encoded metadata and at least a portion of at least one of:the electronic map or the access point locator corresponding to theencoded metadata.

In accordance with certain example implementations, at least onecomputing platform may be provided at a repository device, comprising:at least one network interface; and at least one processing unit to:obtain encoded metadata for at least a portion of at least one indoorregion corresponding to at least one of an electronic map or an accesspoint locator; obtain a request for navigation assistance data for atleast one indoor region from a mobile station via the network interface;and initiate transmission of at least a portion of the navigationassistance data to the mobile station via the network interface, thenavigation assistance data comprising, at least in part, the encodedmetadata and at least a portion of at least one of: the electronic mapor the access point locator corresponding to the encoded metadata.

In accordance with certain example implementations, an article ofmanufacture may be provided comprising at least one non-transitorycomputer readable medium having stored therein computer implementableinstructions that are executable by a processing unit in a repositorydevice to: obtain encoded metadata for at least a portion of at leastone indoor region corresponding to at least one of an electronic map oran access point locator; obtain a request for navigation assistance datafor at least one indoor region from a mobile station; and initiatetransmission of at least a portion of the navigation assistance data tothe mobile station, the navigation assistance data comprising, at leastin part, the encoded metadata and at least a portion of at least one of:the electronic map or the access point locator corresponding to theencoded metadata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive aspects are described with reference tothe following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example environmentthat includes a mobile station and several devices for use in providingnavigation assistance data and/or the like to a mobile station withregard to at least one of a plurality of different indoor regions, inaccordance with an implementation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating certain features of anexample mobile station for use in obtaining and using navigationassistance data and/or the like with regard to at least one of aplurality of different indoor regions, in accordance with animplementation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating certain features of anexample computing platform for use in one or more devices to establishand/or provide navigation assistance data and/or the like to a mobilestation with regard to at least one of a plurality of different indoorregions, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method for a mobile station to obtain and use navigationassistance data and/or the like with regard to at least one of aplurality of different indoor regions, in accordance with animplementation.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method for a computing platform at a directory device toestablish and/or provide navigation assistance data and/or the like to amobile station with regard to at least one of a plurality of differentindoor regions, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method for a computing platform at an inference device toestablish and/or provide navigation assistance data and/or the like to amobile station with regard to at least one of a plurality of differentindoor regions, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method for a computing platform at a repository device toestablish and/or provide navigation assistance data and/or the like to amobile station with regard to at least one of a plurality of differentindoor regions, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session that may be implemented in an example environmentcomprising a mobile station and several devices including a mapinference device, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of exampleprocesses or methods to establish an electronic map via a map extractionphase, establish encoded metadata via a map inference phase of ananalyzer capability, and configure navigation assistance data for exportto and/or use by a mobile station, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session that may be implemented in another exampleenvironment comprising a mobile station and several devices, inaccordance with an implementation.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session that may be implemented in yet another exampleenvironment comprising a mobile station and several devices, inaccordance with an implementation.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session that may be implemented in still another exampleenvironment comprising a mobile station and several devices, inaccordance with an implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described in greater detail herein, various methods and apparatusesare provided which may be implemented in various devices to providenavigation assistance data and/or the like to a mobile station withregard to at least one of a plurality of different indoor regions.

By way of initial example, a method may be implemented at a mobilestation to obtain navigation assistance data with regard to at least oneof a plurality of different indoor regions from a repository device. Aspart of such an example method, a mobile station may initially contact adirectory device which may be able to inform the mobile station as to aparticular repository device that the mobile station should contact toobtain applicable navigation assistance data with regard to an indoorregion. For example, a mobile station may transmit a request for arepository device identifier to a directory device. Such a request may,for example, being indicative of at least a first estimated location ofthe mobile station, e.g., identify or hint at a rough or generallocation. For example, a mobile station may indicate its last knownestimated location, or other information that may infer or relate to itscurrent location or surroundings.

A mobile station may then receive a response from the directory devicethat identifies a repository device. The response may also identify atleast one indoor region corresponding to the first estimated location,e.g., via the specific repository identifier, and/or possibly via otheradditional identifying information. For example, a Uniform ResourceLocator (URL) or other like unique address/identifier may be providedfor a repository device, and a location context identifier (LCI) and/orother like unique identifier may be provided with regard to an indoorregion.

A mobile station may then transmit a request for navigation assistancedata for an indoor region to a repository device. Thus, with such arequest, a mobile station may request one or more particular data filesthat may be of use while the mobile station may be in or around anindoor region. For example, data associated with an electronic map or anaccess point locator may be of use in various functions that the mobilestation may provide, e.g., positioning functions, navigation functions,location based service functions, etc. In certain instances, it maybebeneficial for navigation assistance data to comprise encoded metadatafor at least a portion an indoor region, and which may, for example,correspond to an electronic map and/or an access point locator. Forexample, encoded metadata may comprise routing and/or feasibilityinformation, point of interest (POI) information, etc., which may beuseful in navigating an indoor region.

Accordingly, in certain example implementations, a mobile station maythen receive applicable navigation assistance data from a repositorydevice, wherein the navigation assistance data may comprise, at least inpart, encoded metadata for at least a portion of an indoor region. Themobile station may, for example, decode or otherwise process the encodedmetadata (if needed) for use by at least one function.

In certain example implementations, all or part of the encoded metadatamay be encrypted for security purposes. Thus, in certain instances, amobile station may obtain a decryption key and perform applicabledecryption of the encoded metadata. In certain instances, a mobilestation may receive a decryption key from a directory device. Thus, arepository device and/or any other intermediary resources/devices maynot have full access to all of the information within the encodedmetadata.

In certain example implementations, at least a portion of the encodedmetadata may be established, at least in part, by an analyzer capabilitythat may be provided, in whole or part, via a directory device and/or arepository device. In certain instances, at least a portion of encodedmetadata may be established prior to a mobile station transmitting arequest for navigation assistance data and stored at the repositorydevice, for example. In certain other instances, at least a portion ofencoded metadata may be established in response to a request fornavigation assistance data, e.g., generated “on-the-fly”.

In certain example implementations, a mobile station may furtherdetermine a second estimated location, e.g., within an indoor regionbased, at least in part, on the received navigation assistance data. Forexample, a positioning function or navigation function may determine amore accurate location estimate based on signal measurements and radiomodels or heatmaps, etc., as may be provided in navigation assistancedata (e.g., in an access point locator).

In certain example implementations, a mobile station may interface withother devices. For example, a mobile station may transmit collected datarelating to an indoor region to a crowd-sourcing device and/or the like.For example, a mobile station may receive additional metadata for anindoor region from a crowd-sourcing device and/or the like, which may beprovided to and used in at least one function. In another example, amobile station may receive local metadata for an indoor region from alocal device and/or the like, which may be provided to and used in atleast one function, e.g., a positioning function, a navigation function,a location based service function, and/or the like.

In accordance with another aspect, a method may be implemented at a mapinference device. For example, a map inference device may obtain anelectronic map and/or an access point locator which relate to at least aportion of at least one indoor region. For example, a map inferencedevice may obtain an electronic map and/or an access point locator froma particular repository device for a particular LCI, etc. A mapinference device may then, for example, use one or more known analyzercapabilities to establish encoded metadata for at least a portion ofsuch an indoor region based, at least in part, on the correspondingelectronic map and/or access point locator. A map inference device maythen transmit the resulting encoded metadata to the applicablerepository device. In certain instances, encoded metadata may beencrypted, for example, at a directory device.

In accordance with another aspect, a method may be implemented at adirectory device. For example, a directory device may obtain anelectronic map and/or an access point locator which relate to at least aportion of at least one indoor region. For example, a directory devicemay obtain an electronic map and/or an access point locator from aparticular repository device for a particular LCI, etc. A directorydevice may then, for example, use one or more known analyzercapabilities to establish encoded metadata for at least a portion ofsuch an indoor region based, at least in part, on the correspondingelectronic map and/or access point locator. A directory device may thentransmit the resulting encoded metadata to the applicable repositorydevice. In certain instances, encoded metadata may be encrypted, forexample, at a directory device, a map inference device, and/or the like.

Additionally, a directory device may, for example, receive a request fora repository device identifier from a mobile station, and whichindicates in some manner at least a first estimated location of themobile station. A directory device may then, for example, determine thatthe first estimated location corresponds to at least a portion of atleast one indoor region, and transmit a repository device identifier foran applicable repository device to the mobile station.

In certain example implementations, a directory device may alsotransmit, to the mobile station, one or more identifiers for anapplicable electronic map, an applicable access point locator, theencoded metadata, and/or the like, that may be stored at or otherwiseavailable via an applicable repository device. In certain instances, adirectory device may transmit a decryption key corresponding to such anencryption key to a mobile station.

In certain example implementations, a directory device may obtainadditional metadata relating to an indoor region, e.g., from acrowd-sourcing device and/or the like, possibly establish encodedmetadata based further, at least in part, on at least a portion of theadditional metadata.

In certain example instances, at least a portion of encoded metadata maybe established, at least in part, prior to receiving a request for arepository device identifier from the mobile station. In certain exampleinstances, at least a portion of encoded metadata may be established, atleast in part, in response to a request for a repository deviceidentifier from a mobile station and/or possibly a request received froma repository device and/or the like. Of course in other instances, adirectory device may actively refine, update, or otherwise re-establishencoded metadata for other reasons, e.g., changes in maps, improvedanalysis techniques, a passage of time, new encryption schemes, new datacompression techniques, etc.

With this above examples in mind, in accordance with another aspect, amethod may be implemented a repository device. For example, a repositorydevice may obtain encoded metadata for at least a portion of at leastone indoor region. Thus, for example, encoded metadata may be receivedfrom a directory device, etc., and/or possibly established at therepository device.

A repository device may, for example, receive a request for navigationassistance data for at least one indoor region from a mobile station. Arepository device may then transmit at least a portion of applicablenavigation assistance data to the mobile station. Here, for example,such transmitted navigation assistance data may comprise applicableencoded metadata, and a corresponding electronic map and/or access pointlocator.

In certain example instances, a repository device may obtain additionalmetadata for an indoor region from a crowd-sourcing device and/or thelike, and establish at least the portion of applicable encoded metadatabased, at least in part, on at least a portion of the additionalmetadata.

In certain example instances, a repository device may establish all orpart of an electronic map and/or all or part of an access point locatorbased, at least in part, on at least one venue diagram for an indoorregion. For example, a computer aided design (CAD) diagram and/or otherlike file(s) may be processed via a map extraction phase to establishall or part of an electronic map and/or all or part of an access pointlocator.

As may be appreciated, there may be one or more repository devices andone or more directory devices, however in certain exampleimplementations, it may be beneficial to provide substantially fewer,possibly more “centralized” or computationally powerful directorydevices than repository devices. In such cases, one or more of thedevices (e.g., directory device 106, repository device 108, inferencedevice 140, or the like) may be implemented in the same physical deviceor server. Of course, in some example implementations, various serverfarms and/or cloud computing arrangements may be configured to adapt asneeded to serve as such devices.

As used herein the term “structure” may, for example, apply to (all orpart of) one or more natural and/or man-made physical arrangements ofobject(s), the knowledge of which may be of use to a user of mobilestation. For example, a structure may comprise all or part of a buildingthat a user of a mobile station may enter into, exit from, and/orotherwise move about within. Some example structures may comprise amixture of indoor and outdoor spaces.

As used herein the term “region” may, for example, relate to all or partof a structure that may be distinguished in some manner. In certaininstances, for example, two or more different regions may bedistinguished from one another based, at least in part, on variousphysical arrangements of objects, e.g., floors, ceilings, decks, walls,staircases, elevators, walkways, etc. Thus, for example, two or moreregions of a structure may relate to two or more different levels (e.g.,floors) of a building, two or more office suites in a building, storesin a shopping mall, etc.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example environment100 that includes a mobile station 102 and several devices for use inproviding navigation assistance data 128 and/or the like to mobilestation 102 with regard to at least one of a plurality of differentindoor regions 152, in accordance with an implementation.

By way of example, mobile station 102 may comprise any electronic devicethat may be moved about by a user within a structure and which comprisesa network interface 114 for receiving signals transmitted bytransmitters 130 (e.g., access points, cell towers, etc.) and/or otherresources in network(s) 104, etc. Thus, by way of some examples, mobilestation 102 may comprise a cell phone, a smart phone, a computer (e.g.,a personal computer such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, awearable computer, etc.), a navigation aid, a digital book reader, agaming device, a music and/or video player device, a camera, etc.

Apparatus 116 is representative of circuitry, such as, e.g., hardware,firmware, a combination of hardware and software, and/or a combinationof firmware and software or other like logic that may be provided inmobile station 102 for use in obtaining navigation assistance data 128.

In certain example implementations, mobile station 102 may functionexclusively or selectively as a stand-alone device, and may provide aone or more capabilities/services of interest/use to a user. In certainexample implementations, mobile station 102 may communicate in somemanner with one or more other devices, for example, as illustrated bythe wireless communication link to the cloud labeled network(s) 104.Network(s) 104 may be representative of one or more communication and/orcomputing resources (e.g., devices and/or services) which mobile station102 may communicate with or through, e.g., via network interface 114using one or more wired or wireless communication links. Thus, incertain instances mobile station 102 may receive (or send) data and/orinstructions via network(s) 104. In certain instances, mobile station102 may, for example, not only receive a signal from a transmitter 130,but may also transmit a signal to such a transmitter (e.g., having areceiver).

In certain example implementations, mobile station 102 may be enabled toreceive signals associated with one or more wireless communicationnetworks, location services, and/or the like or any combination thereofwhich may be associated with one or more transmitters 130 and/ornetwork(s) 104.

Mobile station 102 may, for example, be enabled (e.g., via networkinterface 114) for use with various wireless communication networks suchas a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless local area network(WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and so on. The term“network” and “system” may be used interchangeably herein. A WWAN may bea Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)network, a Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA)network, and so on. A CDMA network may implement one or more radioaccess technologies (RATs) such as cdma2000, Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA),Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), toname just a few radio technologies. Here, cdma2000 may includetechnologies implemented according to IS-95, IS-2000, and IS-856standards. A TDMA network may implement Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), orsome other RAT. GSM and W-CDMA are described in documents from aconsortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). Cdma2000is described in documents from a consortium named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project 2” (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publiclyavailable. A WLAN may include an IEEE 802.11x network, and a WPAN mayinclude a Bluetooth network, an IEEE 802.15x, for example. Wirelesscommunication networks may include so-called next generationtechnologies (e.g., “4G”), such as, for example, Long Term Evolution(LTE), Advanced LTE, WiMAX, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), and/or thelike.

In certain example implementations, mobile station 102 may be enabled(e.g., via network interface 114 or other location receiver) for usewith various location service(s), such as, a Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GNSS), or other like satellite and/or terrestrial locatingservice, a location based service (e.g., via a cellular network, a WiFinetwork, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, mobile station 102 may be located at alocation 154 in a region 152 of a structure 150. By way of example,navigation assistance data 128 may be obtained which includesinformation that may be processed and/or otherwise presented or used insome manner by mobile station 102 to assist in supporting one or morefunctions, e.g., positioning or navigation functions, as a user moveswith mobile station within and/or nearby structure 150 and/or region152.

An example directory device 106 is illustrated as being connected tonetwork(s) 104 via a network interface 118, which in certainimplementations may be similar to network interface 114. Directorydevice 106 may, for example, comprise one or more computing platforms,e.g., servers, etc., which may provide an apparatus 120. Apparatus 120may, for example, comprise an analyzer capability 122 that may establishall or part of encoded metadata 124. Directory device 106 may transmitencoded metadata 124 to a repository device 108, e.g., via networkinterface 118, network(s) 104, and a network interface 118 in repositorydevice 108. As previously mentioned and further illustrated insubsequent examples, apparatus 120 may also process requests forinformation received via network interface 118 and initiate transmissionof responses thereto.

Example repository device 108 is illustrated as being connected tonetwork(s) 104 via its network interface 118, which in certainimplementations may be similar to network interface 114. Repositorydevice 108 may, for example, comprise one or more computing platforms,e.g., servers, etc., which may provide an apparatus 126. Repositorydevice 108 may receive encoded metadata 124 from directory device 106,e.g., via network interface 118, network(s) 104, and a network interface118 in directory device 106. In certain instances, apparatus 126 may,for example, comprise an analyzer capability 122 that may establish allor part of encoded metadata 124. As previously mentioned and furtherillustrated in subsequent examples, apparatus 126 may also processrequests for information received via network interface 118 and initiatetransmission of responses thereto. As illustrated, apparatus 126 may,for example, establish, maintain, or store navigation assistance data128, which may include all or part of encoded metadata 124.

An example map inference device 140 is illustrated as being connected tonetwork(s) 104 via a network interface 118, which in certainimplementations may be similar to network interface 114. Map inferencedevice 140 may, for example, comprise one or more computing platforms,e.g., servers, etc., which may provide an apparatus 142. Apparatus 142may, for example, comprise an analyzer capability 122 that may establishall or part of encoded metadata 124. Map inference device 140 maytransmit encoded metadata 124 to a repository device 108, e.g., vianetwork interface 118, network(s) 104, and a network interface 118 inrepository device 108.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1, is an example, crowd-sourcing device 110,which may, for example, comprise one or more computing platforms, e.g.,servers, etc., and may establish, maintain, or store additional metadata111, and/or provide such to other devices and/or mobile station 102,e.g., via network(s) 104.

Similarly, a local device 112 which, for example, may comprise one ormore computing platforms, e.g., servers, etc., may be provided which iscapable of establishing, maintaining, storing, and/or providing localmetadata 113, to other devices and/or mobile station 102, e.g., vianetwork(s) 104, or possibly via a direct wireless link (which whileshown outside of network(s) 104, may be provided within network(s) 104too).

It should be understood that, while FIG. 1 shows an exampleimplementation wherein all or part of an analyzer capability 122 may beimplemented at certain devices to establish all or part of encodedmetadata 124, in certain instances all or part of such analyzercapability 122, and/or all or part of encoded metadata 124 may bedifferent at the various different devices. Furthermore, it should beunderstood that, in certain other example implementations, all or partsof two or more devices (e.g., directory device 106, repository device108, inference device 140, or the like) may be co-located within aparticular device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating certain features of anexample mobile station 102 for use in obtaining and using navigationassistance data 128, in accordance with an implementation.

As illustrated mobile station 102 may comprise one or more processingunits 202 to perform data processing (e.g., in accordance with thetechniques provided herein) coupled to memory 204 via one or moreconnections 206. Processing unit(s) 202 may, for example, be implementedin hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Processingunit(s) 202 may be representative of one or more circuits configurableto perform at least a portion of a data computing procedure or process.By way of example but not limitation, a processing unit may include oneor more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers,application specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors,programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or the like,or any combination thereof.

Memory 204 may be representative of any data storage mechanism. Memory204 may include, for example, a primary memory 204-1 and/or a secondarymemory 204-2. Primary memory 204-1 may comprise, for example, a randomaccess memory, read only memory, etc. While illustrated in this exampleas being separate from the processing units, it should be understoodthat all or part of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwiseco-located/coupled with processing unit(s) 202, or other like circuitrywithin mobile station 102. Secondary memory 204-2 may comprise, forexample, the same or similar type of memory as primary memory and/or oneor more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a diskdrive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid state memory drive,etc. In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operativelyreceptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to, computer readablemedium 260. Memory 204 and/or computer readable medium 260 may compriseinstructions 262 associated with data processing, e.g., in accordancewith the techniques and/or apparatus 116 (FIG. 1), as provided herein.

Mobile station 102 may, for example, further comprise one or more userinput devices 208, one or more output devices 210, one or more networkinterfaces 114, and/or one or more location receivers 216.

Input device(s) 208 may, for example, comprise various buttons,switches, a touch pad, a trackball, a joystick, a touch screen, amicrophone, a camera, and/or the like, which may be used to receive oneor more user inputs. Output devices 210 may, for example, comprisevarious devices that may be used in producing a visual output, anaudible output, and/or a tactile output for a user.

A network interface 114 may, for example, provide connectivity to one ormore transmitters 130 and/or network(s) 104 (FIG. 1), e.g., via one ormore wired and/or wireless communication links. Location receiver 216may, for example, obtain signals from one or more location services,which may be used in estimating a location that may be provided to orotherwise associated with one or more signals stored in memory. Forexample, a location receiver may be used to estimate a first locationthat may indicate (possibly roughly) that mobile station 102 is at ornearby, or possibly approaching a particular structure/region.

Processing unit(s) 202 and/or instructions 262 may, for example, provideor otherwise be associated with one or more signals stored in memory204, such as, one or more requests for a repository device identifier220, one or more requests for assistance data 222, one or morerepository device identifiers 224, a first estimated location 226, asecond estimated location 228, navigation assistance data 128, encodedmetadata 124, decoded metadata 238, one or more electronic maps 234, oneor more access point locators 236, one or more decryption keys 242,collected data 244, additional metadata 111, local metadata 113,instructions and/or data for or supportive of one or more functions 240and/or the like or any combination thereof, e.g., as described in thevarious example techniques herein.

Function(s) 240 may, for example, comprise all or part of a positioningfunction, a navigation function, a location based service function, orthe like or any combination thereof that may be used, at least in part,to estimate a location of mobile station 102 within at least one indoorregion.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating certain features of anexample computing platform 300 for use one or more devices that may beused to establish and/or provide navigation assistance data 128 and/orthe like to mobile station 102, in accordance with an implementation.For example, directory device 106, repository device 108, or mapinference device 140 may comprise one or more computing platforms 300.

As illustrated computing platform 300 may comprise one or moreprocessing units 302 to perform data processing (e.g., in accordancewith the techniques provided herein) coupled to memory 304 via one ormore connections 306. Processing unit(s) 302 may, for example, beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software.Processing unit(s) 302 may be representative of one or more circuitsconfigurable to perform at least a portion of a data computing procedureor process. By way of example but not limitation, a processing unit mayinclude one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors,microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits, digitalsignal processors, programmable logic devices, field programmable gatearrays, or the like, or any combination thereof.

Memory 304 may be representative of any data storage mechanism. Memory304 may include, for example, a primary memory 304-1 and/or a secondarymemory 304-2. Primary memory 304-1 may comprise, for example, a randomaccess memory, read only memory, etc. While illustrated in this exampleas being separate from the processing units, it should be understoodthat all or part of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwiseco-located/coupled with processing unit(s) 302, or other like circuitrywithin computing platform 300. Secondary memory 304-2 may comprise, forexample, the same or similar type of memory as primary memory and/or oneor more data storage devices or systems, such as, for example, a diskdrive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, a solid state memory drive,etc. In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operativelyreceptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to, computer readablemedium 360. Memory 304 and/or computer readable medium 360 may compriseinstructions 362 associated with data processing, e.g., in accordancewith the techniques and/or apparatus 120 or apparatus 126 (FIG. 1), asprovided herein.

Computing platform 300 may, for example, further comprise one or morenetwork interfaces 118. A network interface 118 may, for example,provide connectivity to network(s) 104, mobile station 102, and/or otherdevices (FIG. 1), e.g., via one or more wired and/or wirelesscommunication links.

Processing unit(s) 302 and/or instructions 362 may, for example, provideor otherwise be associated with one or more signals stored in memory304, such as, one or more requests for a repository device identifier220, one or more requests for assistance data 222, one or morerepository device identifiers 224, a first estimated location 226, asecond estimated location 228, navigation assistance data 128, encodedmetadata 124, an analyzer capability 122, one or more electronic maps234, one or more access point locators 236, one or more decryption keys242, one or more encryption keys 310, additional metadata 111, localmetadata 113, and/or the like or any combination thereof, e.g., asdescribed in the various example techniques herein.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method 400 for a mobile station 102 to obtain and usenavigation assistance data 128 and/or the like with regard to at leastone of a plurality of different indoor regions, in accordance with animplementation. At example block 402, mobile station 102 may transmit arequest for repository device identifier 220 to directory device 106. Atblock 404, mobile station 102 receive repository device identifier 224identifying repository device 108 and at least one indoor regioncorresponding to first estimated location 226 of mobile station 102. Atexample block 406, mobile station 102 may transmit a request fornavigation assistance data 222 for an indoor region to repository device108. At example block 408, mobile station 102 may receive navigationassistance data 128 from repository device 108, wherein navigationassistance data 128 comprises encoded metadata 124 for the indoor regionand which corresponds to electronic map 234 and/or access point locator236. At example block 410, mobile station 102 may decode encodedmetadata 124 (e.g., if/as needed). At example block 412, mobile station102 may provide encoded metadata 124 (e.g., possibly in the form ofdecoded metadata 238) to or for use by at least one function 240.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method 500 for computing platform 300 at directory device 106or, at least in part, at map inference device 140 to establish and/orprovide navigation assistance data 128 and/or the like for use by mobilestation 102 with regard to at least one of a plurality of differentindoor regions, in accordance with an implementation. At example block502, directory device 106 or map inference device 140 may obtainelectronic map 234 and/or access point locator 236, e.g., fromrepository device 108 and/or the like. At example block 504, directorydevice 106 or map inference device 140 may establish encoded metadata124 for an indoor region based, at least in part, on electronic map 234and/or access point locator 236. At example block 506, directory device106 or map inference device 140 may transmit encoded metadata 124 torepository device 108.

Additionally, at example block 508, directory device 106 may receive arequest for a repository device identifier 220 from mobile station 102.At example block 510, directory device 106 may transmit at least arepository device identifier 224 to mobile station 102 in response to adetermination that first estimated location 226 of mobile station 102corresponds to a particular indoor region.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method 600 for computing platform 300 at inference device 140to establish and/or provide navigation assistance data 128 and/or thelike for use by mobile station 102 with regard to at least one of aplurality of different indoor regions, in accordance with animplementation. At example block 602, map inference device 140 mayobtain electronic map 234 and/or access point locator 236, e.g., fromrepository device 108 and/or the like. At example block 604, mapinference device 140 may establish encoded metadata 124 for an indoorregion based, at least in part, on electronic map 234 and/or accesspoint locator 236. At example block 606, directory device 106 or mapinference device 140 may transmit encoded metadata 124 to repositorydevice 108.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of an exampleprocess or method 700 for a computing platform 300 at repository device108 to establish and/or provide navigation assistance 128 data and/orthe like to mobile station 102 with regard to at least one of aplurality of different indoor regions, in accordance with animplementation. At example block 702, repository device 108 may obtainencoded metadata 124 for an indoor region corresponding to electronicmap 234 and/or access point locator 236. At example block 704,repository device 108 may receive a request for navigation assistancedata 222 for the indoor region from mobile station 102. At example block706, repository device 108 may transmit navigation assistance data 128to mobile station 102, wherein navigation assistance data 128 comprisesencoded metadata 124 and at least a portion of electronic map 234 and/oraccess point locator 236 corresponding to encoded metadata 124.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session 800 that may be implemented in an exampleenvironment to provide navigation assistance data and/or the like tomobile station 102, in accordance with an implementation. FIG. 8 issimilar to FIG. 1, and also includes other devices 802, which may beassociated with a venue having some knowledge with regard to one or morestructures and/or regions. For example, a other devices 802 may comprisecomputing platforms 300 or the like connected to network(s) 104, whichmay generate or otherwise provide various forms of maps, diagrams, etc.,and/or access point (AP) locations, radio heatmaps, etc., that may thenbe used, e.g., by repository device 108 or other like device, toestablish electronic map 234 and/or access point locator 236 (e.g., seeFIG. 2 and FIG. 3). Map inference device 140 may then, for example,obtain electronic map 234 and/or access point locator 236 for aparticular region, e.g., from repository device 108 and/or the like, andestablish corresponding encoded metadata 124, e.g., using an analyzercapability 122. Arrows with text are also shown in FIG. 8, which providesome examples of messages/information that may be communicated betweenthe various devices, e.g., in accordance with example communicationsession 800.

As shown, example communication session 800 may include obtaininginformation from a venue, via one or more messages #0 between otherdevices 802 and repository device 108 (shown here as a “Map/AP Sever”).Repository device 108 may then establish one or more applicableelectronic maps 234 and/or access point locators 236. Additionally,repository device 108 may deliver map/AP information to the MapInference Device, and obtain encoded metadata 124 from map inferencedevice 140. Hence, repository device 108 may obtain, store, or otherwisemaintain navigation assistance data 128.

With one or more messages #1A, #1B between mobile station 102 anddirectory device 106 (shown here as a “Map Sever Directory”), mobilestation 102 may use its rough location (e.g., first estimated location226) to learn from the Map Server Directory which Map/AP server(s) tocommunicate with to request navigation assistance data 128. With one ormore messages #2A, #2B between mobile station 102 and an applicablerepository device 108 (Map/AP Server), mobile station 102 may use itsrough location and/or other information from directory server 106 toquery servers repository device 108.

With one or more messages #3A, #3C between mobile station 102 and acrowd-sourcing device 110 (shown here as a “Crowdsourcing Server”),mobile station may provide collected data 244 and/or receive additionalmetadata 111 (see FIG. 2). Here, for example, collected data may includecrowdsourced information and/or measurements that may be gathered orotherwise collected by mobile station 102, e.g., via one or morecircuits, applications, user interfaces, etc. Additional metadata 111may, for example, comprise metadata similar to encoded data but whichhas been derived, updated or otherwise modified based, at least in part,on information obtained by or others generated within crowd-sourcingdevice 110. For example, crowd-sourcing device 110 may make use ofcollected data from one or more mobile stations to update/correctexisting AP locations, radio models, heatmaps, etc. As further shown,one or more messages #3B between crowd-sourcing device 110 andrepository device 108 may be provided, e.g., for similar or other likepurposes.

Further, in this example, one or more messages #4 between mobile station102 and a local device 112 (shown here as a “POI Server”) may be used toprovide local metadata 113 and/or the like to mobile station 102, e.g.,an indoor position of the mobile station may be used to trigger orotherwise obtain applicable POI information and services (e.g., locationbased services, etc.).

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating certain features of some exampleprocesses or methods 900 to establish an electronic map via a mapextraction phase 902, establish encoded metadata via a map inferencephase 904 (e.g., of an analyzer capability 122), and configurenavigation assistance data 128 for export to and/or use by mobilestation 102 via a map export phase 906, in accordance with animplementation.

Structure and/or region diagrams are often owned, controlled, orotherwise maintained by some entity or person associated with aparticular venue. Some structure and/or region diagrams that may beprovided for a venue may include embedded information about certainfeatures and/or objects within a region. By way of example, somediagrams may provide a level of accuracy and detail that may beavailable in CAD diagrams or the like. Thus, assuming that the diagrams(maps) are available in an appropriate CAD format (e.g., drawingexchange format (DXF), etc.), they may be processed by repository device108, as needed, into a suitable electronic format. In certain exampleimplementations, some maps may be expressed in an Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML), or other like language (e.g., GML, or KML, or CityGML,etc.) for ease of use, and possibly to ensure commonality acrossmultiple devices.

Repository device 108, as a Map Server may, for example, host one ormore maps of one or more LCIs, regions, structures, venues, etc.Repository device 108 may, for example, aggregate maps of many differentLCIs. Hence, a scale and possibly ownership of such a Map Server mayvary significantly. On one hand, a single entity (e.g., associated withan office building, or a mall) may host a repository device 108. Inother examples, an entire campus or enterprise may host all theirvarious maps on a single repository device 108. In still other exampleimplementations, a third party may provide for a central repositorydevice 108 for a wide number of venues. It should be noted that thevarious techniques provided herein may be implemented in variousmanners, including architectures that may be essentially agnostic to ascale of a map server.

Map extraction phase 902 may, for example, be performed at repositorydevice 108, and/or other like devices. In example map extraction phase902, a CAD file may be analyzed to determine the relevant informationpresent in its many layers. The necessary pieces of informationextracted may include, for example, walls, doors and entry/exit points.This analysis may also identify special zones like portals (e.g.,elevators, escalators, stairs). Also, some POI information (e.g.Restroom) available in the CAD files may be extracted. Such extractiontechniques and others are known and beyond the scope of thisdescription. Moreover, subject matter claimed herein is not necessarilylimited to any particular extraction techniques.

Map inference phase 904 may, for example, be performed in whole or inpart one or more of directory device 106, repository device 108, mapinference device 140, and/or other like devices. With map inferencephase 904, certain features of a map may be analyzed, e.g., by a suiteof algorithms, to determine useful metadata of the map. For example, aspart of map inference phase 904, analysis may be performed as to auser's movement/access feasibility and/or infeasibility with respect tovarious parts of a map (e.g., and objects in a region representedthereby). In certain example instances, a dense connectivity graph maybe determined, e.g., that may be utilized by a positioning function foraccurate positioning, etc. In certain example instances, a connectivitygraph may be determined and/or possibly reduced to form a routing graph,for use in navigation functions, and/or for other like purposes. Incertain example instances, a probability map of a region maybedetermined, e.g., based on routes, etc. In certain example instances,radio heatmaps or other like RF signal related information associatedwith a region may be determined, e.g., through map analysis andavailability of known transmitter locations. In certain exampleinstances, various points of interest may be linked or otherwiseidentified, e.g., based on determined relationships, etc.

In certain example implementations, it may be beneficial to have bothmap information and access point or other transmitter informationavailable in map inference phase 904. Various like map inferencetechniques and others are known and beyond the scope of thisdescription. Moreover, subject matter claimed herein is not necessarilylimited to any particular map inference techniques.

In certain example implementations, an access point locator may includeradio models, radio heatmaps, and/or other like RF signal relatedinformation associated with a region. In certain instances, it may bebeneficial not include exact AP or transmitter locations in an accesspoint locator. Radio heatmaps (e.g. RSSI heatmaps) may, for example, beexpressed as signal strengths at various points in a region. Thus, exactAP/transmitter locations may not need to be relayed to mobile stationsin certain implementations, e.g., particularly once encoded metadata hasbeen established.

In certain example implementations, a first estimated location may beprovided, at least in part, using a last known GPS fix, identifying WiFiaccess points being heard, or possibly via some text input from user orother sensed information (e.g., camera, scanner, microphone) that maypossibly indicate or hint at a rough current location.

In certain example implementations, a directory device 106 may providesome assistance data to a mobile station, e.g., by determining one ormore nearby LCI(s), e.g., by looking such up in a database, etc.

In certain example implementations, map export phase 906 may establishencoded metadata 128 in XML-like formats, and/or the like. In certaininstances, all or part of map export phase 906 may be performed at adirectory device 106 and may take advantage of various forms of specificencoding, data compression, and/or data encryption techniques. Incertain other example instances, all or part of map export phase 906 maybe performed at a repository device 108, and/or the like. In still otherinstances, all or part of map export phase 906 may be performed alongwith similar actions regarding other data that may be included innavigation assistance data 128. Various data exportation, processing,conversion, techniques and others are known and beyond the scope of thisdescription. Moreover, subject matter claimed herein is not necessarilylimited to any particular data formatting techniques.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session 1000 that may be implemented in an exampleenvironment to provide navigation assistance data and/or the like tomobile station 102, in accordance with yet another implementation. FIG.10 is similar to FIG. 8, but does not comprise or use of a map inferencedevice 140. Instead, in this example, an apparatus 120 may be providedat Map/AP server 108 with an analyzer capability to establish encodedmetadata 124, e.g., using example techniques as provided herein.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session 1100 that may be implemented in an exampleenvironment to provide navigation assistance data and/or the like tomobile station 102, in accordance with yet another implementation. FIG.11 is similar to FIG. 10, and also includes a map server 1102 and an APserver 1104, separated out from repository device 108, which is shownhere as “Indoor Positioning Assistance Server (IPAS)”. Map server 1102and AP server 1104 may, for example, communicate offline with otherdevices 802 as indicated. Also, different from FIG. 10, in thisimplementation, as indicated by circular arrow at repository device 108(message #2F) repository device 108 may comprise an analyzer capabilitythat performs map inference. As such, in certain example instances, allor some map inference may be performed on-the-fly.

With this in mind, as shown via messages #0, a venue may provide mapsand AP information which may be pre-processed and kept at map server1102 and AP server 1104, respectively. Alternatively, a venue mayprovide certain map and/or AP information directly to repository device108. As illustrated via messages #1A, #1B, mobile station 102 maycommunicate with a directory device, e.g., shown here as an IndoorPositioning Assistance Server Directory (IPAS-D), again using a roughlocation to allow the IPAS-D to determine an applicable IPAS for themobile station to communicate with. Thus, via messages #2A-#2G, mobilestation 102 may obtain navigation assistance data 128 from repositorydevice 108. Here, for example, if the IPAS has a cached version ofapplicable electronic map 234 and access point locator 236, thenrepository device 108 may respond directly to mobile station 102 withnavigation assistance data 128 (including encoded metadata 124).However, if the IPAS does not have a cached version of applicableelectronic map 234 and access point locator 236, then repository device108 may further communicate with map server 1102 and AP server 1104 toobtain such information.

With one or more messages #3A, #3C between mobile station 102 and acrowd-sourcing device 110 (shown here as a “Crowdsourcing Server”),mobile station may provide collected data 244 and/or receive additionalmetadata 111 (see FIG. 2). Additional metadata 111 may, for example,comprise metadata similar to encoded data but which has been derived,updated or otherwise modified based, at least in part, on informationobtained by or others generated within crowd-sourcing device 110. Asfurther shown, one or more messages #3B between crowd-sourcing device110 and repository device 108 may be provided, e.g., for similar orother like purposes. Further, in this example, one or more messages #4between mobile station 102 and a local device 112 (shown here as a “POIServer”) may be used to provide local metadata 113 and/or the like tomobile station 102, e.g., an indoor position of the mobile station maybe used to trigger or otherwise obtain applicable POI information andservices (e.g., location based services, etc.).

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an examplecommunication session 1200 that may be implemented in an exampleenvironment to provide navigation assistance data and/or the like tomobile station 102, in accordance with yet another implementation. FIG.12 is similar to FIG. 10 and FIG. 10, and as indicated by circular arrowat repository device 108 (a message #0), repository device 108 maycomprise an analyzer capability that performs map inference (e.g., inadvance of a request). Here, however, unlike FIG. 10 and more like FIG.10, maps and AP location information may be obtained via messages #0(and cached) at the IPAS from other devices 802.

It should be noted that additional example implementations may beprovided and that claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited tothe illustrated and described implementation. For example, in certainother implementations, various capabilities as described herein may beoperatively combined in whole or in part using one or more computingplatforms at certain devices. For example, a device may comprise ahybrid mixture of capabilities which may be provided for using adirectory device 106, a repository device 108, a map inference device140, other devices 802, a map server 1002, an AP server 1004, acrowd-sourcing device 110, a local device 112, and/or the like. By wayof example, as illustrated in certain example implementations herein, ananalyzer capability 122 which may establish encoded metadata 124 may beprovided at one or more different devices.

Reference throughout this specification to “one example”, “an example”,“certain examples”, or “exemplary implementation” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the feature and/or example may be included in at least one featureand/or example of claimed subject matter. Thus, the appearances of thephrase “in one example”, “an example”, “in certain examples” or “incertain implementations” or other like phrases in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame feature, example, and/or limitation. Furthermore, the particularfeatures, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or moreexamples and/or features.

The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon applications according to particular features and/orexamples. For example, such methodologies may be implemented inhardware, firmware, and/or combinations thereof, along with software. Ina hardware implementation, for example, a processing unit may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other devices units designed toperform the functions described herein, and/or combinations thereof.

In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details havebeen set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subjectmatter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatclaimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, methods and apparatuses that would be known by oneof ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscureclaimed subject matter.

Some portions of the preceding detailed description have been presentedin terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations onbinary digital electronic signals stored within a memory of a specificapparatus or special purpose computing device or platform. In thecontext of this particular specification, the term specific apparatus orthe like includes a general purpose computer once it is programmed toperform particular functions pursuant to instructions from programsoftware. Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations areexamples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the signalprocessing or related arts to convey the substance of their work toothers skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, isconsidered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similarsignal processing leading to a desired result. In this context,operations or processing involve physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities maytake the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared or otherwise manipulated as electronicsignals representing information. It has proven convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals asbits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers,numerals, information, or the like. It should be understood, however,that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussion, it is appreciated that throughout this specificationdiscussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining”, “establishing”, “obtaining”,“identifying”, and/or the like refer to actions or processes of aspecific apparatus, such as a special purpose computer or a similarspecial purpose electronic computing device. In the context of thisspecification, therefore, a special purpose computer or a similarspecial purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulatingor transforming signals, typically represented as physical electronic ormagnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other informationstorage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of the specialpurpose computer or similar special purpose electronic computing device.In the context of this particular patent application, the term “specificapparatus” may include a general purpose computer once it is programmedto perform particular functions pursuant to instructions from programsoftware.

The terms, “and”, “or”, and “and/or” as used herein may include avariety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in partupon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if usedto associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C,here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in theexclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein maybe used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in thesingular or may be used to describe a plurality or some othercombination of features, structures or characteristics. Though, itshould be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimedsubject matter is not limited to this example.

While there has been illustrated and described what are presentlyconsidered to be example features, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, andequivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subjectmatter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter withoutdeparting from the central concept described herein.

Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited tothe particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject mattermay also include all aspects falling within the scope of appendedclaims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising, at a positioning assistanceserver: obtaining metadata for at least a portion of at least one indoorregion corresponding to an electronic map or an access point locator, orany combination thereof, wherein at least a portion of the metadata isobtained from a map server or an access point server or a point ofinterest server, or any combination thereof; receiving a request fornavigation assistance data for the at least one indoor region from amobile station; and transmitting at least a portion of the navigationassistance data to the mobile station, the navigation assistance datacomprising the metadata and further comprising a portion of theelectronic map corresponding to the metadata or the access point locatorcorresponding to the metadata, or any combination thereof, wherein atleast a portion of the metadata is for use by the mobile station in apositioning function, a navigation function or a location based servicefunction, or any combination thereof.
 2. The method as recited in claim1 wherein the metadata is encoded metadata, and wherein the at least aportion of the metadata has been encrypted by the map server or by theaccess point server or by the point of interest server, or by anycombination thereof.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein theobtaining the encoded metadata further comprises, at the positioningassistance server: establishing at least a portion of the encodedmetadata for the at least a portion of the at least one indoor regionbased, at least in part, on the electronic map or the access pointlocator, or any combination thereof.
 4. The method as recited in claim3, and further comprising, at the positioning assistance server:obtaining additional metadata for the at least one indoor region from acrowd-sourcing device, wherein the establishing the at least a portionof the encoded metadata further comprises establishing the at least aportion of the encoded metadata based, at least in part, on at least aportion of the additional metadata.
 5. The method as recited in claim 2,wherein at least a portion of the encoded metadata is established, atleast in part, prior to receiving the request for navigation assistancedata.
 6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least aportion of the encoded metadata is established, at least in part, inresponse to the request for navigation assistance data.
 7. The method asrecited in claim 2, and further comprising, at the positioningassistance server: establishing the electronic map or the access pointlocator, or any combination thereof, based, at least in part, on atleast one venue diagram for the at least one indoor region.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 1 further comprising, at the positioningassistance server: encrypting the metadata to create encoded metadata,wherein the at least a portion of the navigation assistance datatransmitted to the mobile station comprises the encoded metadata, andwherein the at least a portion of the metadata that is for use by themobile station in the positioning function, the navigation function orthe location based service function, or any combination thereof, is theencoded metadata.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein theobtaining the encoded metadata further comprises, at the positioningassistance server: establishing at least a portion of the encodedmetadata for the at least a portion of the at least one indoor regionbased, at least in part, on the electronic map or the access pointlocator, or any combination thereof.
 10. The method as recited in claim9, and further comprising, at the positioning assistance server:obtaining additional metadata for the at least one indoor region from acrowd-sourcing device, wherein establishing the at least a portion ofthe encoded metadata further comprises establishing the at least aportion of the encoded metadata based, at least in part, on at least aportion of the additional metadata.
 11. The method as recited in claim8, wherein the at least a portion of the encoded metadata isestablished, at least in part, prior to receiving the request fornavigation assistance data.
 12. The method as recited in claim 8,wherein the at least a portion of the encoded metadata is established,at least in part, in response to the request for navigation assistancedata.
 13. The method as recited in claim 8, and further comprising, atthe positioning assistance server: establishing the electronic map orthe access point locator, or any combination thereof, based, at least inpart, on at least one venue diagram for the at least one indoor region.14. An apparatus for use in a positioning assistance server, theapparatus comprising: means for obtaining metadata for at least aportion of at least one indoor region corresponding to an electronic mapor an access point locator, or any combination thereof, wherein at leasta portion of the metadata is obtained from a map server or an accesspoint server or a point of interest server, or any combination thereof;means for receiving a request for navigation assistance data for the atleast one indoor region from a mobile station; and means fortransmitting at least a portion of the navigation assistance data to themobile station, the navigation assistance data comprising the metadataand further comprising a portion of the electronic map corresponding tothe metadata or the access point locator corresponding to the metadata,or any combination thereof, wherein at least a portion of the metadatais for use by the mobile station in a positioning function, a navigationfunction or a location based service function, or any combinationthereof.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the metadata is encodedmetadata, and wherein the at least a portion of the metadata has beenencrypted by the map server or by the access point server or by thepoint of interest server, or by any combination thereof.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for obtaining the encodedmetadata further comprises, at the positioning assistance server: meansfor establishing at least a portion of the encoded metadata for the atleast a portion of the at least one indoor region based, at least inpart, on the electronic map or the access point locator, or anycombination thereof.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising,at the positioning assistance server: means for encrypting the metadatato create encoded metadata, wherein the at least a portion of thenavigation assistance data transmitted to the mobile station comprisesthe encoded metadata, and wherein the at least a portion of the metadatathat is for use by the mobile station in the positioning function, thenavigation function or the location based service function, or anycombination thereof, is the encoded metadata.
 18. The apparatus of claim17 wherein the means for obtaining the encoded metadata furthercomprises, at the positioning assistance server: means for establishingat least a portion of the encoded metadata for the at least a portion ofthe at least one indoor region based, at least in part, on theelectronic map or the access point locator, or any combination thereof.19. A positioning assistance server, comprising: a network interface;and one or more processors configured to: obtain metadata for at least aportion of at least one indoor region corresponding to an electronic mapor an access point locator, or any combination thereof, wherein at leasta portion of the metadata is obtained from a map server or an accesspoint server or a point of interest server, or any combination thereof;receive a request for navigation assistance data for the at least oneindoor region from a mobile station; and transmit at least a portion ofthe navigation assistance data to the mobile station, the navigationassistance data comprising the metadata and further comprising a portionof the electronic map corresponding to the metadata or the access pointlocator corresponding to the metadata, or any combination thereof,wherein at least a portion of the metadata is for use by the mobilestation in a positioning function, a navigation function or a locationbased service function, or any combination thereof.
 20. The positioningassistance server of claim 19 wherein the metadata is encoded metadata,and wherein the at least a portion of the metadata has been encrypted bythe map server or by the access point server or by the point of interestserver, or by any combination thereof.
 21. The positioning assistanceserver of claim 20, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to obtain the encoded metadata by establishing at least aportion of the encoded metadata for at least the portion of the at leastone indoor region based, at least in part, on the electronic map or theaccess point locator, or any combination thereof.
 22. The positioningassistance server of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors arefurther configured to: encrypt the metadata to create encoded metadata,wherein the at least a portion of the navigation assistance datatransmitted to the mobile station comprises the encoded metadata, andwherein the at least a portion of the metadata that is for use by themobile station in the positioning function, the navigation function orthe location based service function, or any combination thereof, is theencoded metadata.
 23. The positioning assistance server of claim 22,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to obtain theencoded metadata by establishing at least a portion of the encodedmetadata for the at least a portion of the at least one indoor regionbased, at least in part, on the electronic map or the access pointlocator, or any combination thereof.
 24. A non-transitory storage mediumcomprising machine-readable code, stored thereon, which is executable bya special purpose computing apparatus in a positioning assistanceserver, comprising: code to obtain metadata for at least a portion of atleast one indoor region corresponding to an electronic map or an accesspoint locator, or any combination thereof, wherein at least a portion ofthe metadata is obtained from a map server or an access point server ora point of interest server, or any combination thereof; code to receivea request for navigation assistance data for the at least one indoorregion from a mobile station; and code to transmit at least a portion ofthe navigation assistance data to the mobile station, the navigationassistance data comprising the metadata and further comprising a portionof the electronic map corresponding to the metadata or the access pointlocator corresponding to the metadata, or any combination thereof,wherein at least a portion of the metadata is for use by the mobilestation in a positioning function, a navigation function or a locationbased service function, or any combination thereof.
 25. Thenon-transitory storage medium as recited in claim 24 wherein themetadata is encoded metadata, and wherein the at least a portion of themetadata has been encrypted by the map server or by the access pointserver or by the point of interest server, or by any combinationthereof.
 26. The non-transitory storage medium as recited in claim 25,wherein the code to obtain the encoded metadata includes code toestablish at least a portion of the encoded metadata for at least theportion of the at least one indoor region based, at least in part, onthe electronic map or the access point locator, or any combinationthereof.
 27. The non-transitory storage medium as recited in claim 24,further comprising: code to encrypt the metadata to create encodedmetadata, wherein the at least a portion of the navigation assistancedata transmitted to the mobile station comprises the encoded metadata,and wherein the at least the portion of the metadata that is for use bythe mobile station in the positioning function, the navigation functionor the location based service function, or any combination thereof, isthe encoded metadata.
 28. The non-transitory storage medium as recitedin claim 27, wherein the code to obtain the encoded metadata includescode to establish at least a portion of the encoded metadata for the atleast a portion of the at least one indoor region based, at least inpart, on the electronic map or the access point locator, or anycombination thereof.